NYC neighborhood hit by Sandy chosen for buyouts

By EILEEN AJ CONNELLY, Associated Press | February 25, 2013





FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2012 file photo, Joe Vanvaketis looks at his Superstorm Sandy damaged home in the Oakwood Beach section of Staten Island, New York. The neighborhood, where three people died during Sandy, will be the first to get state-sponsored home buyouts, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined the planned program during a visit to the borough on Monday. Photo: Seth Wenig
Photo By Seth Wenig

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City oceanfront neighborhood where three people died during Superstorm Sandy will be the first to get state-sponsored home buyouts.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (KWOH'-moh) outlined the planned program during a visit on Monday to Staten Island, where Oakwood Beach is located.

The program calls for the state to pay 100 percent of the pre-storm value for the homes there. Residents who move elsewhere on Staten Island will be eligible for a 5 percent bonus.

So far, 141 of the roughly 200 homeowners in the targeted area have asked for buyouts.

Joseph Tirone (ty-ROHN') leads a neighborhood committee that sought the solution and was among five homeowners who met with Cuomo. He's says the governor's intention is to have everyone bought out by the end of the year.

http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/NYC-neighborhood-hit-by-Sandy-chosen-for-buyouts-4307525.php